mulch

Meanings

Noun

• Any material used to cover the top layer of soil to protect, insulate, or decorate it, or to discourage weeds or retain moisture.
• A material used as mulch, as a decorative redwood bark mulch.

Verb

• To apply mulch.
• To turn into mulch.

Origin

• Probably from Middle English melsche, molsh, from Old English melsc, milisc, probably from Proto-Germanic *mili ("honey"). Compare Icelandic milska ("a honeyed beverage").